Former Mountaineer Gets Big Chance in the NFL

Morgantown, West Virginia – The Mountaineers’ long snapper for the past two seasons, Rex Sunahara, is finally getting a chance to play at the next level.  Sunahara, who handled the long snapping duties for punts, field goals and extra points for the Mountaineers, will sign with the Miami Dolphins following a COVID-19 exam.

Sunahara was a 2019 Patrick Mannelly Award Semifinalist, which is given to the nation’s top long snapper.  In addition, he played in the 2020 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star game and the 2020 Hula Bowl game.

West Virginia Head Coach Neal Brown considered Sunahara one of the top pro prospects on the West Virginia roster last season: “He’s actually one of the top pro prospects we have on our team. He’s been extremely consistent. He’s going to play in an off-season all-star game. He’s got a chance, even though there are only 32 of them in the NFL, he’s got a chance to do it post college.  We’ve used him in a different role than people traditionally use their center on the punt team. People are now trying to block him. He’s been a weapon for us. He will be missed.”

Now, Sunahara will have an opportunity to play professionally in Miami.  Best of luck!  Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer!